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| Hengdian Buzzing as Hu Lianxin Leads Returning Pearl, a 15-Minute Spin on Classic C-Drama IP (Weibo/Hu Lian Xin) |
The cameras are rolling and Hengdian’s back in buzz-mode — the beloved classic My Fair Princess (aka Huan Zhu Ge Ge) is getting a fresh spin with a fantasy twist, and leading the charge? None other than Hu Lianxin, officially marking her comeback with the newly titled short drama Returning Pearl.
The reboot kicked off filming this week with a launch ceremony attended by both leads — Hu Lianxin and Luo Yizhou — and it’s already turning heads. Why? For starters, Returning Pearl isn’t just another remake.
According to reports from Sohu, it’s a short-form drama made up of 30 bite-sized episodes (around 15 minutes each), built around the buzzy concept of “time travel + fixing the original plot.”
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Hu Lianxin plays Lin Suisui, a modern-day woman who accidentally lands in the universe of My Fair Princess — only to find the story completely off track. With a blend of light comedy and fantasy vibes, she’s tasked with “correcting” the plot and navigating an altered palace drama landscape. Think meta-drama meets redemption arc, both on-screen and off.
But let’s be real: the bigger story here is Hu Lianxin herself. This marks her first proper return to acting since last year’s private video incident that saw her stepping away from the spotlight. No charges, no official punishment — just a wave of industry cold-shouldering and delays. Now, it seems, she’s testing the waters with short-form content.
Related: What Hu Lianxin Said About Her Comeback
Why Short Dramas Are the New Comeback Route
Candid video of #HuLianXin filming drama #还珠/ #HuanZhu/ #ReturningPearl.
— fkshi (@FKShi) June 1, 2025
~Weibo 01 Jun 2025~ pic.twitter.com/EfzW0Mfclw
There’s a growing trend among actors who’ve faced public or industry setbacks — opting to re-enter the game through short dramas. Unlike traditional film and TV productions, which still carry stricter scrutiny and corporate risk-aversion, short dramas offer more flexibility and faster turnarounds. They also tend to be less policed when it comes to casting, as long as no red lines have been crossed.
The market itself is also booming. Audiences are hungry for quick-hit entertainment, platforms are chasing traffic, and recognisable faces bring in views — it’s a win-win. In that sense, Returning Pearl isn’t a random web project. It’s a high-visibility platform-led drama with strong IP ties and a strategic comeback move.
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A Calculated Risk?
Hu Lianxin’s decision to return in a short-form project rather than waiting for a full-blown drama comeback might reflect both caution and opportunity.
Unlike actors banned for criminal or serious misconduct — such as Zheng Shuang, whose short drama Fu Chen imploded after public backlash — Hu Lianxin’s case falls in the grey zone. No legal wrongdoing, but enough online noise to make big-budget productions hesitate.
Regulations were tightened in 2024 with the revised Performing Artist Code of Conduct. Major misconduct = industry ban. And a March 2025 notice specifically warned short drama producers not to quietly sneak in controversial figures. But when it comes to artists like Hu Lianxin who aren’t officially blacklisted, the lines are blurrier — and producers are willing to take the gamble if the project suits.
Candid video of #LuoYiZhou & #HuLianXin attend ceremony for start filming short drama #还珠/ #HuanZhu/ #ReturningPearl.
— fkshi (@FKShi) May 29, 2025
~Weibo 29 May 2025~ pic.twitter.com/3OFpVW6Q7y
Industry Eyes on Returning Pearl
With Luo Yizhou joining as the male lead and the backing of a reputable team, Returning Pearl might not just be a comeback piece — it could set a tone for how short dramas evolve as a legit form of entertainment and rehabilitation for “greylisted” celebs.
That said, the internet doesn’t forget easily. Comebacks these days aren’t just about landing a role. It’s about re-earning public trust, post by post, comment by comment. So, while Hu Lianxin is back on set — whether she can truly return to form is a journey we’ll have to watch unfold, 15 minutes at a time.